Pipes

Plumbing systems include three basic elements: supply, drainage and venting.

The supply system brings the water into building. The water system can be a municipality asset or a building asset. The demarcation point of the responsibility is at the water meter. The pipes outside the house up to the water meter are local the responsibility of the municipality, with one exception: the main shutoff valve. The main shutoff valve, even if located before the water meter, belongs to the building. It is good practise to keep the valve in working condition. In case of an emergency, quickly shutting off the water supply can prevent damage to the house. Each family member should know the location of the main shutoff valve. From the water meter, pipes supply water to the water heater as well as to all plumbing fixtures such as toilets, tubs, sinks, showers and to home appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machine, ice makers. Having additional emergency shutoff valves for each of plumbing fixture and home appliance makes maintenance and repair much easier.

Today's market offers many types of water pipes:

Copper pipes - rigid or soft - for cold and hot water lines and for DWV (Drain-West-Vent).

Galvanized steel pipes - for water supply lines.

Plastic PB - for cold and hot water supply lines.

Plastic PVC - for cold water supply lines.

Plastic CPVC - for cold and hot water supply lines.

Plastic PE - mostly used for irrigation systems.

Plastic PEX - for hot and cold water lines.

The drain and vent (DWV drain-waste-vent) are an integrated system. The vent system provides air to the drainage system. Drainage lines come out of house under ground and vents lines come out of the house through the roof.